From Broken Dreams To A Mission Of Courage And Hope

Growing up, I was a quiet and introverted girl.

Yet deep within my heart, I carried one powerful dream:

I wanted to serve my country as a fighter pilot.

I worked hard and even cleared the SSB examination.

But despite repeated efforts, I could not join the Indian Air Force.

Those failures left me confused and uncertain about my future.

It was during this difficult phase in May 2016 that my older sister introduced me to Nichiren Buddhism.

Discovering A New Mission In Life

Very early in my practice, Ikeda Sensei’s guidance became a profound source of reassurance.

Gradually, I became convinced that the mentor-disciple path was the truest way to contribute to society and serve my country.

Every morning and evening, I encouraged myself with Toda Sensei’s words to Ikeda Sensei:

“Please keep on striving alongside me to see just how the results of our practice are manifested in the future.”

(The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin and the Mentor-Disciple Relationship, 42)

As I exerted sincerely in BSG campaigns and activities, I slowly awakened to my mission as a Bodhisattva of the Earth.

My life began expanding in ways I had never imagined.

Transforming A Painful Family Relationship

At that time, my relationship with my brother was extremely strained.

While I was already struggling to find direction in my career, his criticism and disrespect toward me became increasingly painful.

My parents worried constantly about the growing tension between us.

Following a senior’s guidance, I made a powerful determination:

I will take complete responsibility for transforming this relationship.

I embraced him in my daimoku every day.

At the same time, I strengthened my faith, study, and activities.

Gradually, something within me changed.

I stopped fearing his reactions and no longer allowed his words to control my emotional state.

Instead, I began responding with patience, composure, and sincerity.

Developing An Invincible Self

Meanwhile, my training as an Ikeda Kayo-kai member helped me build an invincible spirit and deepen my passion for kosen-rufu.

In 2019, despite serious financial constraints, I managed to clear the examinations required for a commercial pilot license.

However, just as my dream seemed close, the COVID-19 pandemic halted my flight training plans completely.

Refusing to be defeated, I decided to strengthen my life condition instead.

I immersed myself in:

The study of the NHR

The Gosho

Value Creation

Gakkai activities

Through this process, my bond with Ikeda Sensei deepened immensely.

Creating Financial Breakthroughs Through Faith

Determined to report a financial victory, I challenged myself in August 2020:

100 hours of daimoku

80 home visits

One shakubuku

I also made a firm determination to become financially independent before November 18, 2020.

Despite severe financial pressure at home, I continued contributing for kosen-rufu with sincerity.

Gradually, breakthroughs started appearing.

My father won multiple long-pending court cases and finally received pension arrears from the government.

Witnessing these victories, he gradually developed deep respect for my practice and began supporting my kosen-rufu efforts wholeheartedly.

Then in October 2020, after a gap of seven and a half years, I secured my first full-time job as a copy and content writer.

That breakthrough became the true beginning of my professional journey.

Taking Responsibility For Youth

In April 2022, I was appointed Deputy YWD Area Chief.

I made a fresh determination to take full responsibility for the growth and happiness of YWDs across North India Area.

To strengthen bonds with members, I began doing:

At least one in-city home visit daily

One outstation visit every day whenever possible

Meanwhile, the atmosphere at home also transformed steadily.

The conflicts with my brother reduced dramatically.

And in 2023, our relationship experienced a complete turnaround.

I finally conducted a heartfelt dialogue with him.

To my immense joy, he even chanted three daimoku.

Fighting Alongside My Mother

In 2024, I determined to transform the district I was supporting, where there were almost no active youth members.

At the same time, another major challenge emerged.

My mother, who suffers from a rare heart condition, entered a severe health crisis.

Doctors revealed:

Her heart was functioning at only 35%

Two arteries were blocked

She had already suffered two silent heart attacks

Drawing inspiration from the Osaka Campaign, I aligned my heart completely with Ikeda Sensei’s spirit.

I challenged myself to:

Chant 3–4 hours daily

Deepen my study

Conduct two home visits every day

Balance work and activities sincerely

Instead of asking “Why is this happening?”, I prayed to understand the training Sensei was trying to impart to me through this struggle.

During this period, I also introduced four lives to the practice.

The YWD Friendship Festival became a major breakthrough, with a significant rise in attendance and many youth reporting victories.

Showing Actual Proof Through Action

Gradually, my mother’s condition began improving.

Her heart function increased from 35% to 45%.

Today, she chants with me daily and wholeheartedly supports my kosen-rufu activities.

She often asks me about Ikeda Sensei and his life.

By the end of 2024:

I had visited 11 cities across North India

Met more than 130 YWDs and Young Lions

Completed over 500 home visits

In the district I supported, six youth members became active participants in meetings.

Even professionally, inspired by Ikeda Sensei’s peace proposals, I developed a sustainability-focused content strategy model at work, which was very well received.

Advancing Toward Greater Dreams

Toward the January 2025 SGI Training Course, I conducted six sincere dialogues.

One friend attended the New Year Gongyo Meeting and another restarted her practice.

Looking ahead, I now determine to:

Begin my commercial pilot flight training

Travel across North India to strengthen outstation cities

Raise future leaders

Chant five million daimoku

Do at least 10 shakubuku

Most importantly, I vow to share the heart of Ikeda Sensei through my conduct, actions, and daily life.

No setback can defeat me anymore.

I now understand that every struggle is an opportunity to reveal courage, compassion, and my mission as a disciple.